What is locally advanced prostate cancer?
Locally advanced prostate cancer is cancer that has started to break out of the prostate, or has spread to the area just outside the prostate.
Watch our animation to find out more about the different stages of prostate cancer:
You may hear locally advanced prostate cancer called stage T3 or T4 prostate cancer. It may have spread to your:
- prostate capsule, which is the outer layer of the prostate
- seminal vesicles, which are two glands that sit behind your prostate and store some of the fluid in semen (the fluid that carries sperm)
- lymph nodes near your prostate, which are part of your immune system
- bladder, which is the part of the body where urine (wee) is stored
- back passage (rectum)
- pelvic wall.
Different doctors may use the term ‘locally advanced prostate cancer’ to mean slightly different things, so ask your doctor or nurse to explain exactly what they mean. They can explain your test results and the treatment options available. Or you could call our Specialist Nurses for more information and support.